The All-Big Ten preview is ITH’s look at our picks for the top players in the Big Ten this season. Today: Robbie Hummel of Purdue.

In one year under Matt Painter at Purdue, Robbie Hummel has done everything one could have expected, and more: He’s made First Team All-Big Ten as a freshman; he made the list of finalists for both the John Wooden and Oscar Roberston national awards; he started 31 times and averaged 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists a game. For all intents and purposes, Robbie Hummel was The Man last year.

As impressive as Hummel’s accomplishments were how quietly he went about them. I’ll be honest: Purdue is in the same state as our Hoosiers, and not only was I only vaguely aware of Hummel, I was often viscerally bored by him. I say that less to insult him and more to criticize my own basketball intelligence, but it’s true: Watching Robbie Hummel is never interesting the way, say, watching Eric Gordon, or even a roughshod banger like Tyler Hansbrough, is. But if Hummel can expand on his success — he was named Big Ten preseason player of the year this year — I doubt he, or Painter, or Purdue fans will much care.

My roomate fought me to the death last year when I predicted Hummel would finish first team All Big Ten last year.

He's just one of these guys that numbers don't equate his value to the team. He's a mismatch at 6'8, plays good defense, and always seems to make big plays.

I don't think he should have been pre-season Big Ten player of the year, because I think that Manny Harris, Raymar Morgan or a freshman like Roe will have better statistical years, but he definitely would be on my first team all Big Ten. Too bad he plays for Purdue.

southsidehitmen

My roomate fought me to the death last year when I predicted Hummel would finish first team All Big Ten last year.

He's just one of these guys that numbers don't equate his value to the team. He's a mismatch at 6'8, plays good defense, and always seems to make big plays.

I don't think he should have been pre-season Big Ten player of the year, because I think that Manny Harris, Raymar Morgan or a freshman like Roe will have better statistical years, but he definitely would be on my first team all Big Ten. Too bad he plays for Purdue.